He jerked my head back, pulling tight on my scalp. “Every time you self-destruct, I’m gonna make you ache here.” He let go of my hair and slid his hand between my thighs to cup me. “I’ll make damn sure you hurt here until you’re out of your fucking mind.”

“Please…”

“You will never pull the bullshit you just did again, do you understand me?”

All I could manage was a whimper.

“I expect an answer.”

“Yes.”

He kissed me again, his moan of desire lost on our tongues. “You have no idea how badly I want to fuck you right now.” He let go of my wrists and stood back. “Turn over.”

I flopped to my back, a pulse of excitement zapping straight to my core.

“Remember this, Alex. When you punish yourself, you punish me too. I want inside you so fucking much right now, but it’s not happening.” His words washed over me like a tidal wave of disappointment I should have seen coming.

“Why?”

His gaze fell to the bandage hiding the ugliness on my abdomen, and my skin blazed with renewed shame. “Spread your legs.”

I parted my thighs, my breath catching, and sensed him reeling me in.

22. Take Control - Rafe

22. TAKE CONTROL - RAFE

Her legs parted before my eyes like an unwrapped present. She was in the perfect position; round ass, still red from my belt, practically kissing the edge of the mattress, and her thighs unabashedly spread wide, pussy glistening in tempting beauty. She sprawled there—opening her heart, body, soul—with her hair fanning her face in a sea of dark curls. I dropped to my knees and lapped up her juices, sucked her swollen clit into my mouth, prepared to lick her until she moaned like a slut.

She panted, holding it in, but I wasn’t about to let her. She was going to wail my name, writhe against my tongue, and beg until she couldn’t beg anymore.

Fucking hell, I was lost.

I dipped my fingers inside her and flicked my tongue over her clit in a way I knew would drive her mad. She bucked, ass rising several inches off the bed, and I smiled against her cunt. She let out a shrieking plea, but I rose to my feet before she had the chance to tip over the edge. Leaning over her, I grabbed my belt, thighs pressing into the mattress, and the heat of her skin seared through me. I stared into her eyes—two green orbs that held so much trust—and my hands trembled.

“You know I’d never hurt you, right?”

She nodded.